Chapter 8 8

The sun shone brightly on Xavier's face, causing him to frown. He jolted upright, checking his phone for the time. It was already past 10 in the morning. "Shit," he muttered, jumping out of bed.

He rushed to the bedroom door and knocked softly. "Zara, open up. I'm sorry," he said, his voice laced with regret. " It's almost noon", he said.

When there was no response, Xavier knocked again. Still, silence.

A sinking feeling hit him – she might have escaped. "Shit!" he exclaimed.

Just then, Mike burst in from the front door. "Yo! Have you guys-"

But Xavier cut him off, his eyes urgent. "Where do we drop spare keys?"

Mike looked confused. "What's going on?"

Xavier's voice rose. "Spare keys to the bedroom door, Mike!"

Mike's expression changed as he pieced together what was happening. He quickly searched for the spare key and handed it to Xavier.

Xavier snatched the key and swiftly unlocked the door. He rushed inside, but the room was empty.

He sprinted to the window and saw a rope hanging from the sill. "Mike, call the guys and see if anyone's spotted her," he barked.

Mike swiftly pulled out his phone and searched for Zara's picture. He sent it to their associates, instructing them to call if they saw her.

As Mike worked, Xavier's eyes scanned the surrounding area, his mind racing with thoughts of where Zara might be.

Zara leaped as she walked, her wounded leg aching with each step. She patted her empty pockets, her mind racing with the realization that she had no phone, no money, and no idea where she was going.

Her mind replayed her daring escape. She had lay awake since dawn, her mind racing with thoughts of Williams' family. She made a split-second decision: she had to get out and had to see them.

Checking the window, she saw the building wasn't too high. She unlocked the door, peeked out, and smiled as she saw Xavier sleeping deeply.

The rush of adrenaline as she'd shimmied down the rope she had found, and in the process, bruising her leg, and the thrill of landing safely on the ground below. Now, she wondered what to do next. Spotting a small shop with an old man inside, she hurried in.

"Please, sir, can I have some money for a taxi?" she begged.

The old man looked at her with kind eyes. "Hold on, dear." He disappeared into the back room and returned with some cash.

Zara thanked him profusely and rushed out. She spotted a taxi and jumped in, telling the driver to take her to Browns 2nd Avenue. The driver nodded, and Zara smiled, feeling a sense of freedom.

But as she looked around, she realized the taxi was taking her back to where she started. She glared at the driver. "What's going on? Where are you taking me?"

The driver apologized, "Sorry, miss."

Zara shouted, "Let me out!" and struggled to open the door, only to find it locked. The taxi came to a stop, and Zara looked outside only to see Xavier and Mike standing in front.

Xavier came to where she was and knocked on the window, a sly smile spreading across his face. He opened the door, and Zara groaned in frustration.

Xavier lifted her out of the taxi, and Zara shouted, "Put me down!"

Mike chuckled. "You can't run from Xavier, Zara."

Xavier thanked the driver, who smiled and waved at Zara. She shouted, "You wicked man!" as the taxi drove away.

Xavier carried Zara away, her struggles futile against his strong grip. Her anger began to fade, replaced by a sense of resignation.

Xavier carried Zara into the house, setting her down gently. But she leaped up and her emotions began to unravel. She felt a mix of anger, sadness and frustration. . "Just let me go, Xavier! I need to see Williams' parents. I need to know what's going on after he was killed."

Xavier didn't respond. Instead, he walked into the room and returned with a first aid box. "Sit," he ordered, his tone firm.

Zara obeyed, wincing as Xavier tended to her wounds. When he finished, he looked up at her, his expression incredulous. "Are you crazy? You jump out of windows now? What are you, Wonder Woman?"

Zara rolled her eyes. "Uh, funny."

Xavier's expression turned serious. "You want to see your husband's family? Fine, you will. But on my terms, Zara. You're not going anywhere."

Zara's jaw set in defiance. "You don't own me, Xavier. What's the meaning of this? Patricia will come looking for me."

Xavier raised an eyebrow. "Oh, and who's Patricia?"

Zara's eyes flashed. "None of your business. Why am I even talking to you?", she frowned.

Xavier sighed, his expression softening. "I'm sorry, Zara. I'm sorry for the words I said to you yesterday. I was wrong to judge you."

Zara saw the sincerity in his apology and her expression softened. "Marrying Williams was my chance at happiness," she said, her voice tinged with sadness.

Xavier's confusion was evident. "What do you mean?"

Zara took a deep breath, deciding to reveal everything. "My father died, leaving me in debt. Patricia came into the picture, saying my father owed her and he had used me as collateral. She asked me to work for her until I pay off my father's debt..."

Xavier listened to every word as Zara continued. " I was lonely and scared so I decided to just go for it. She owns a restaurant, but it turned out to be a cover. Her real business is extorting rich men with secrets. After extorting them, she finds a way to get away with it. Myself and another lady named Rachel does the job"

Xavier's face darkened, his eyes filled with concern.

Zara continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "That's why you saw me with different...men but I was tired of it. I wanted out and when Williams was my next target, I decided to use him to gain my freedom."

Zara didn't tell Xavier about the contract marriage deal with Williams.

Xavier listened intently, his expression a mix of shock and compassion.

Zara's eyes filled with tears. "Now I'm a widow," she said, a dry laugh escaping her lips. "I don't know if I'm free from Patricia after what happened. I don't deserve to be called Williams' wife, but I just wanted to be there for him, to send him off properly. He was good to me."

Xavier's face relaxed, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he looked at Zara. He gently brushed a strand of hair behind Zara's ear. "You're safe now, Zara," he said, his voice low and soothing. "I'll help you get out of this mess. You don't have to face Patricia alone."

Zara's gaze met Xavier's, and her eyes prickled with unshed tears. She took a shuddering breath, her shoulders relaxing as Xavier's steady presence enveloped her. "Thank you, Xav," she whispered, her voice cracking with emotion.

Xavier nodded, his expression serious. "We'll get through this together, Zara. You will get to see Williams' parents, but first, you need to get cleaned up."

Zara nodded, feeling grateful towards Xavier. She let him lead her to the bathroom.

As they stood in the bathroom, Xavier's eyes locked onto hers. "I'm sorry again, Zara," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. "I was wrong to judge you. You've been strong, and I'm proud of you."

Zara's heart swelled with emotion as she looked at Xavier. She felt a sense of connection with him she hadn't felt in a long time. "Thank you, Xav," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Xavier's eyes burned with intensity as he took a step closer. His face inches from hers, Zara's heart skipped a beat. She felt his warm breath on her skin.

Xavier's lips brushed against hers, sending shivers down her spine. The kiss was soft and gentle, sparking a fire within her. Zara's lips parted, inviting Xavier deeper.

Their tongues danced together, the kiss growing more passionate and intense. Zara felt herself melting into Xavier's arms, her body responding to his touch.

As they broke apart for air, Xavier's eyes crinkled at the corners. "Anytime, Zara," he whispered, his voice husky with desire. He turned and made his way out of the bathroom.